Animal Control Officer

The Town of Ocean City, MD; Ocean City (MD); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

The Town of Ocean City, MD is seeking an Animal Control Officer to enforce municipal animal control regulations and work on stray, diseased, unlicensed or dangerous animals. You will patrol, investigate complaints, issue citations, testify in court, and provide education to the public.

The role requires maintaining logs, following procedures, and passing a drug screen if hired. Applicants should have a high school diploma or GED and a valid driver's license; related experience may be

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED or equivalent experience.
• Valid driver's license and euthanizing animals certification.
• Ability to follow ordinances and state laws.

Responsibilities

• Patrol daily to detect violations, check nuisance locations, and traps.
• Investigate complaints and enforce animal control laws.
• Maintain logs and document incidents per procedures.
• Issue citations and testify in district court as needed.
• Capture, transport, and provide care for sick or injured animals.
• Educate the public and assist in finding humane solutions.

Skills

Public interaction

Legal compliance

Written communication

Emergency response

Education

High school diploma or GED

Valid driver’s license

Certificate for euthanizing animals

Job description

SUMMARY

- Performs law enforcement work relating to animal control. This is routine bondable work in enforcing animal control regulations. Has the responsibility to catching and confining stray, diseased, unlicensed or apparently dangerous dogs. An employee in this class must exercise tact and courtesy in dealing with the public. Performance is reviewed periodically in conference with the designated supervisor. If hired, applicants must be able to pass a drug screening.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Performs daily patrol functions which include detecting violations, checking nuisance locations, checking traps.
• Investigates all dispatched complaints for animal related problems.
• Complies with departmental procedures for all aspects of their assignment, (radio communications, daily logs, documentation of incidents).
• Takes law enforcement action in various situations dealing with violations of city ordinances and state law.
• Locates, contains and traps both wild and domestic animals.
• Issues citations as well as testifying in district court on violations.
• Deals with citizen complaints including education, mediation and resolution to all types of animal related situations.
• Captures and transports sick, injured, and wild animals to local animal hospitals or appropriate rehabilitation personnel.
• Finds acceptable homes/facilities for orphaned wild and domestic animals and provides assistance for pet owners in matters dealing with food, shelter or medical care.
• Euthanizes sick and/or injured wild or domestic animals.
• Provides educational services for citizen groups, schools and individuals, dealing with animal related issues.
• Removes and disposes of dead animals from roadways and other public areas.
• Provides on-call (off-duty) response for animal complaints and services requested during non-working hours.
• Provides homecare for animals in need under emergency or special circumstances.

QUALIFICATIONS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

High school diploma or general education degree (GED); or one to three months related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

Valid driver's license; certificate for euthanizing wild and domestic animals.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos. Ability to write simple correspondence. Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to customers, clients, and other employees of the organization.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to add and subtract two-digit numbers and to multiply and divide with 10's and 100's. Ability to perform these operations using units of American money and weight measurement, volume, and distance.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Working knowledge of the geography of the City; of ordinances, laws and regulations related to the capture, custody and disposition of animals. Introductory knowledge of safety practices concerning the handling of animals is required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee is occasionally required to sit and talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to high, precarious places and outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. The employee is subject to callouts while off duty for animal service calls.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Veterans are encouraged to apply